commit an attack

USAGE SUMMARY

"commit an attack" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts. For example, "The soldiers committed an attack on the enemy fortress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

There was no evidence the men threatened to commit an attack in Minnesota, Luger said.

The Guardian

"Their aim was to commit an attack," he said of the women.

The Guardian

The prosecutor said that during surveillance, security services had not seen signs that suggested Lakdim would commit an attack.

The Guardian

He was denied bail on Tuesday on charges of preparing to commit an attack and making funds available to a terror organisation.

The Guardian

We don't know how it happens that, all of a sudden, four young women who met on the Internet want to commit an attack.

The New Yorker

It is not the first time a girl has been detained in France under suspicion of trying to commit an attack.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But the two Iraqis arrested in Bowling Green, Ky., in 2011 never committed an attack in the United States.

The Washington Post

"The simple reality is that Russia has committed an attack on British soil which has seen the death of a British citizen," the defense minister, Gavin Williamson, said in the House of Commons.

The New York Times

In other words, America's need to find irrefutable proof of who committed an attack before acting against the culprits may only forestall the kind of rapid and aggressive strike that could deter further terrorism.

The New York Times

In the last 15 years, 364 "jihadists" were indicted or convicted of a terrorist crime, or killed while committing an attack in the United States according to a New America Foundation study.

HuffPost

Hamas leaders like Yassin were not killed in the act of committing an attack, they were killed either as punishment for past attacks (essentially a police justification) or to prevent predicted future attacks (a military justification).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential or planned attacks, use "commit an attack" to clearly convey the intention or act of carrying out the offensive action.

Common error

Rather than saying "an attack was committed", use the active voice "someone committed an attack" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit an attack" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "commit" acts as a transitive verb taking "an attack" as its direct object. It is used to describe the action of performing or perpetrating an aggressive or violent act. Ludwig AI validates the correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commit an attack" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe the act of carrying out a violent or harmful action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various sources. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of aggression and is often associated with discussions of terrorism, crime, or military operations. While relatively uncommon, its meaning is clear and its usage is generally appropriate, although active voice is preferable for directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch an assault

This alternative is more direct and action-oriented, emphasizing the initiation of aggression.

perpetrate an act of violence

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the criminal nature of the action.

carry out a strike

This alternative suggests a planned and executed offensive action, often with military connotations.

stage an aggression

This alternative emphasizes the theatrical or planned nature of the attack.

undertake an offensive

This alternative is more formal and suggests a strategic or large-scale attack.

engage in hostile action

This alternative is a broader term, encompassing any type of aggressive or confrontational behavior.

initiate an offensive maneuver

This alternative emphasizes the strategic aspect of the attack, suggesting a calculated military operation.

execute a raid

This alternative suggests a swift and targeted attack, often with the goal of seizing something or causing disruption.

mount an incursion

This alternative suggests a brief and often unauthorized entry into enemy territory for the purpose of attack or reconnaissance.

instigate a conflict

This alternative focuses on the act of starting or provoking a larger conflict or battle.

FAQs

How can I use "commit an attack" in a sentence?

You can use "commit an attack" to describe someone carrying out a violent or harmful action, such as "The terrorist group planned to commit an attack on the city".

What are some alternatives to "commit an attack"?

Alternatives include "launch an assault", "perpetrate an act of violence", or "carry out a strike", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "commit an attack" or "carry out an attack"?

Both "commit an attack" and "carry out an attack" are correct and usable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, with "carry out" possibly implying more planning and execution.

What's the difference between "commit an attack" and "plan an attack"?

"Plan an attack" refers to the preparation and strategy involved, while "commit an attack" refers to the actual execution of the planned action. One precedes the other.